Collaborative Work

Expense Categories 2015-2016

INTRODUCTION

Research has shown us that when teachers use key teaching and learning practices and measure the effect of those practices with common formative assessments (CFA), analysis of results and re-teaching can improve the learning of all students—even those presenting learning challenges. When this is done within a collaborative environment, student learning can accelerate at a rapid pace.

The Missouri Collaborative Work is an educational framework designed to improve teaching and learning practices at the classroom level with the goal of improved outcomes for all students, especially students with disabilities. The key components of the CW are: Collaborative Data Teams, Common Formative Assessments, Data-based Decision-making and Effective Teaching/Learning Practices.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has partnered with the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) to develop materials, tools and resources around the four areas above. The DESE and UMKC have also partnered with the Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDC) to train staff in the use of these materials, tools and resources with LEA staff participating in the CW.

The DESE understands that any new processes initiated in buildings require a certain level of professional development with building staff. Because of this, the CW buildings are provided with grant dollars to offset the cost of staff time needed for training, collaborative team meetings, data collection and analysis, and development of CFAs.

As there are already materials, tools and resources available and trainers available from the RPDCs, it is not expected that CW buildings will have to incur costs for these items (for example, attending a conference or workshop by a provider other than the RPDC staff person, bringing in a PD provider other than an RPDC staff person and purchasing large quantities of books/materials/resources. If training with the RPDC staff person requires travel to and from the training location, that expense may be claimed.

REIMBERSABLE EXPENSES

  • Professional Development
  • The following will be reimbursed as professional development costs:
  • Resource books to support implementation of an area in which staff have received PD. (ex. Hattie’s Visible Learning for Teachers, Common Formative Assessment, Data-based Decision-making). Note: Not more than 5% of your grant may be expended for resource materials.
  • Mileage and fees for CW training at a RPDC or other location that is being provided by an RPDC staff person.
  • Staff Time
  • Substitute Costs – Payment, including salary and benefits, for a substitute teacher to allow a classroom teacher (including special subject teachers) to be released to participate in professional development activities related to the collaborative work.
  • Extended Teacher Contracts – Payment, including salary and benefits, to extend the contract of a professional staff member to attend PD &/or work on a collaborative project activity, formative assessment development, data team work, data organization, preparation for data team meetings.
  • Stipends for Out of Contract Work – Payment, including salary and benefits, to reimburse a professional staff member for work out of contract time on activities related to the collaborative work (development of formative assessments, data team participation, etc).
  • Other
  • Costs other than those described above for which the district seeks reimbursement must be submitted to the Office of Special Education program contact for approval PRIOR to the expense being obligated. Failure to seek and obtain prior approval will result in denial for reimbursement of the cost

NON-REIMBERSABLE EXPENSES

  • The following will NOT be reimbursed as professional development costs:
  • Attendance at State/National Conferences
  • Fees/dues for professional organizations
  • SW-PBS/PLC/RTI program costs/fees
  • Student/staff incentives/awards
  • Food
  • Technology (laptops, tablet computers, eReaders, Smart Boards, projectors, etc.)
  • Curriculum work or training (i.e., ELA/Writing/Math, Common Core, SLO training, Digital Library training).
  • Books/materials/resources that do not meet the above guidelines
  • PD providers from anywhere other than the RPDC.
  • Teacher and/or student materials/supplies, incentives, etc.

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education1 | Page

Special Education